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Hennessey Special Vehicles has officially introduced the Venom F5 Evolution, a significantly upgraded iteration of its celebrated hypercar, now recognised as the most powerful road-legal car powered solely by an internal combustion engine. Developed in partnership with Ilmor Engineering, the new model generates power, accompanied by substantial improvements in aerodynamics, suspension, handling, and comfort.

The launch of the Venom F5 Evolution marks a pivotal moment in Hennessey’s ongoing mission to redefine the limits of performance and engineering. The Texan manufacturer, known for pushing the boundaries of speed and design, embarked on an intensive development programme following customer demand for enhanced capability. As a result, the F5 Evolution incorporates a comprehensive suite of upgrades designed to refine both on-track performance and grand touring comfort.

At the heart of this next-generation hypercar lies the newly optimised ‘Fury’ engine, a 6.6-litre twin-turbocharged V8 created through a collaboration with high-performance specialists Ilmor Engineering. Building upon the original powerplant, the revised engine benefits from advanced componentry including the world’s largest mirror-image turbochargers (Precision 76/80 Next Gen), Ilmor-designed billet aluminium pistons, extreme-duty aluminium connecting rods, lightweight titanium exhaust valves, high-capacity fuel injectors, and refined billet valve covers. These enhancements collectively contribute to an increase of 214 brake horsepower (bhp) over the original output.

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GAC Honda has officially introduced the P7 in China, an all-electric SUV that represents the brand’s first venture under the newly developed “Architecture W”, a platform purpose-built for battery electric vehicles. With prices ranging from 199,900 to 249,900 yuan (around RM131,000 to RM164,000), the P7 arrives in three distinct variants, each aimed at redefining Honda’s presence in the EV segment.

The P7 makes a bold visual statement with its futuristic design language inspired by mechanical aesthetics. Its broad, low-slung profile is crafted for aerodynamic efficiency, enhanced by a seamless body construction that reduces drag. At the front, a closed-off grille is complemented by a full-width LED light bar, while the lower section features a blacked-out multi-slat bumper that adds visual depth and aggression to the SUV’s appearance. Notably, the P7 is also the first model to carry Honda’s latest brand emblem, signifying a new design direction for the marque.

Dimensionally, the P7 positions itself as a spacious option in its class. It stretches 4,750 mm in length, 1,930 mm in width, and stands at 1,625 mm tall, supported by an extended wheelbase of 2,930 mm. For comparison, this places it larger than the sixth-generation Honda CR-V currently sold in Malaysia, particularly in terms of wheelbase and overall width, which contributes to a notably high space utilisation rate of 85.8%.

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Kia, in partnership with creative agency Innocean Berlin, has unveiled Soundscapes, an ambitious new project that reimagines how passengers experience movement. More than just a technological showcase, the initiative is a sensory-driven exploration of connection and inclusivity, offering a new way to interpret the world through sound.

The heart of the Soundscapes project lies in its innovative use of the Kia EV9’s advanced driver assistance system (ADAS). By capturing the surrounding topography in real-time, the vehicle’s AI system translates the natural landscape into music, transforming a standard road trip into an immersive, auditory journey. Passengers are invited to engage with their environment not through sight, but through a sonic interpretation of their surroundings.

This concept holds particular significance for visually impaired passengers. David Hilbert, Marketing Director at Kia Europe, stated that the project aims to demonstrate how technology can overcome barriers and enrich lives. Kia’s belief that “movement inspires ideas” serves as the foundation of this initiative, with Soundscapes acting as a tangible expression of that ethos.

The technical and creative execution was led by Innocean Berlin in collaboration with Harald Schaack of grotesk.group, who developed the system to map landscape features and feed them into a real-time music generator. Schaack’s algorithm interprets visual data from the ADAS system and translates it into audio signals.

To ensure these soundscapes were both expressive and grounded in emotional resonance, music producer Wonder Bettin of DaHouse GmbH was brought on board. Each natural object encountered by the vehicle was given a unique musical quality, chosen to reflect its perceived size, texture, and movement. Bettin explained that music has the power to awaken the imagination in profound ways, offering new perspectives and making the unseen deeply felt.

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Despite the automotive industry’s ongoing shift towards electrification, digitalisation, and downsizing, Mazda has no intention of abandoning the core characteristics that have made the MX-5 a beloved icon for over three decades. Even after ten years on the market, the current ND-generation Miata remains a favourite among enthusiasts, and the Japanese marque appears committed to preserving its spirit in the forthcoming successor.

Masashi Nakayama, General Manager of Mazda’s Design Division, has confirmed that the next MX-5 will continue the brand’s pursuit of lightweight engineering, as reported by Road & Track. Mazda’s internal goal is to keep the future model’s kerb weight below 1,000kg. This weight target echoes the philosophy of the Japan-only ND 990S, which currently stands as the lightest version of the Miata at just 990kg.

While car buyers often anticipate more interior space with each new model generation, those hoping for a roomier MX-5 cabin may be left disappointed. Mazda’s engineers are determined to keep the vehicle compact, and the new model is expected to retain a length of under four metres. This would align closely with the current ND’s measurement of 154.1 inches, reaffirming the brand’s stance on maintaining the Miata’s signature footprint.

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Audi has expanded its A6 model line with a new business-class sedan that merges elegance with technological sophistication. Set for a global rollout beginning mid-April 2025, the new A6 Sedan embodies the marque’s commitment to design excellence, aerodynamic efficiency, and driving comfort, marking a new chapter in the premium full-size segment.

This latest iteration of the A6 boasts a drag coefficient of just 0.23 — the lowest ever achieved by an Audi production model powered by an internal combustion engine. It exemplifies Audi’s advancement in aerodynamics, combining subtle design refinements with high-performance engineering to enhance both efficiency and performance.

Underpinning the new A6 is a range of modern petrol and diesel powertrains, all integrated with the brand’s MHEV plus mild-hybrid technology. This system supports the combustion engine with electric assistance, allowing smoother acceleration, lower emissions, and greater fuel efficiency. It also enables limited electric-only driving in low-speed urban conditions and while coasting. The line-up includes a 2.0-litre TDI four-cylinder engine producing 204PS, and a 3.0-litre TFSI six-cylinder delivering 367PS. Both benefit from the electrified system’s additional torque of up to 230Nm and a power boost of up to 24PS during overtaking or take-off, while recuperation during deceleration can reach up to 25 kW.

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As BMW opens a new chapter in 2025 with its all-electric Neue Klasse lineup, it is redefining not only the way its vehicles drive but also how they sound and feel. At the heart of this sensory transformation is HypersonX—a groundbreaking soundscape developed by the BMW Group Sound Design Studio, which introduces an emotional layer of interaction between driver and vehicle.

HypersonX isn’t just a collection of futuristic tones—it’s a multi-dimensional, immersive audio experience designed specifically for the Neue Klasse models. It comprises 43 curated sound signals, along with specially developed drive sounds tailored to both Personal Mode and Sport Mode. These modes shift the emotional tone inside the cabin, delivering everything from soothing naturalistic sound cues to adrenaline-pumping acceleration notes that evoke speed and power.

This dynamic sound adaptation is enabled by major technological leaps made possible by the Neue Klasse platform. At the core lies BMW Operating System X and an all-new audio control unit, creating the conditions for richer sound reproduction, expanded dynamic range, and spatial modulation that lets the driver “travel” through layers of sound during different phases of acceleration.

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Volkswagen is further enhancing its digital offerings with the integration of the PAC-MAN Championship Edition into its AirConsole in-car gaming platform. Available as an optional feature in selected models, the game can now be played on the infotainment system when the vehicle is stationary, with smartphones serving as controllers.

Volkswagen becomes the first carmaker to dynamically integrate the classic game with vehicle-specific features, including ambient background lighting and, in compatible ID. models, the ID. Light interface. This immersive enhancement allows the interior lighting to respond in real-time to game progress and player interactions, creating a more engaging and interactive gaming experience within the cabin.

The PAC-MAN Championship Edition retains the core mechanics that made the original 1980s arcade game iconic. Players navigate PAC-MAN through a maze, consuming dots while avoiding capture by ghosts. Once a maze is cleared, the player advances to the next level. The Volkswagen edition introduces several new visual elements and in-game rewards. Players can earn additional points by interacting with silhouettes of legendary Volkswagen vehicles such as the Beetle, VW Bus, and the Golf IV R32, as well as brand identifiers like GTI, GTX, and R. Power pellets now appear in the form of the Volkswagen brand logo, offering new ways to combat the Ghost Gang.

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A new legislative proposal from the European Parliament has sent ripples through the global automotive and aerospace sectors, as it aims to designate carbon fibre as a hazardous material under European Union law. The move, if approved, would make the EU the first government entity worldwide to apply such a classification to the lightweight composite, widely prized for its strength and durability.

The proposed amendment forms part of the revised End of Life Vehicles (ELV) Directive, which governs the recycling and disposal of vehicles within the EU. Lawmakers have expressed concern that carbon fibre filaments may become airborne during disposal or recycling processes and pose risks to human health upon skin contact. As a result, the material could soon join the EU’s restricted substances list—currently comprising lead, cadmium, mercury, and hexavalent chromium—materials already subject to strict limitations in manufacturing.

Should the European Parliament adopt the proposal, restrictions on the use of carbon fibre would begin to take effect in 2029, prompting a phased reduction across industries. Automotive manufacturers alone account for an estimated 20 percent of the global demand for carbon fibre, highlighting the widespread implications of the amendment.

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MG has officially previewed its next major electric vehicle offering, the CyberX SUV, marking the second addition to its growing Cyber sub-brand. Building on the momentum of last year’s Cyberster electric roadster, the CyberX introduces a bold, rugged design and a high-tech platform aimed at younger, lifestyle-focused buyers.

The upcoming CyberX is set to be unveiled at the Shanghai Motor Show, where it will take centre stage as MG’s latest electric SUV. Early teaser images reveal a boxier, more upright silhouette than seen on MG’s current SUV range, with styling that suggests an emphasis on adventure and urban versatility. Notably, the vehicle showcases illuminated MG badges and full-width LED light bars at both the front and rear, giving it a distinctly futuristic visual identity.

Designed to compete with rivals such as the Smart #5, the CyberX also underlines MG’s broader global ambitions. While the Cyber sub-brand is currently focused on the Chinese market, the company has already launched the Cyberster in the UK and is expected to roll out more Cyber-branded vehicles internationally in the near future.

Beneath the surface, the CyberX is one of the first models to ride on SAIC Motor’s new E3 electric platform, a next-generation, all-electric architecture engineered to support a variety of vehicle sizes and formats—from compact cars to large SUVs and sports cars. This platform incorporates CTB (cell-to-body) construction, a system that integrates the battery pack directly into the vehicle’s body structure. This approach enhances rigidity, reduces weight, and improves energy efficiency.

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The Toyota GR Yaris has received a comprehensive round of updates for 2025, as the Japanese carmaker continues to refine its rally-bred hot hatch five years after its original debut. Following the early 2024 facelift, this latest evolution introduces a host of aerodynamic enhancements, mechanical refinements, and expanded safety features aimed at reinforcing the model’s status as a standout in the performance hatchback segment.

The most striking addition is a newly developed rear wing, which has been designed to improve high-speed stability and enhance braking performance. Adjustable by the driver, the wing forms part of a six-piece body kit that has been specifically engineered for track-day usage. Toyota has placed significant emphasis on improving aerodynamics across the car, drawing inspiration from the limited-run GRMN edition. A new bonnet, made from aluminium rather than the carbon fibre of the GRMN version, now features a centrally mounted air duct to assist with cooling the engine more effectively.

Further aerodynamic developments include new air ducts located behind the front wheels, which are intended to improve stability during high-speed cornering, while additional ducts have been integrated into the corners of the rear bumper to help reduce aerodynamic drag. A redesigned front spoiler lip and an adapted fuel tank undercover, derived from the GR Yaris racing car used in Japan’s Super Taikyu Series, also form part of the performance-oriented upgrade.

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